Seth’s chest rumbled with a laugh.
“Anyway,” I drawled, sending Seth a dark look, “I think I have a solution.”
Seth cocked his head. “Will Soren be upset with you?”
“Uh. I don’t think so?”
“Mm. Pity. He’s a sight when he’s pissed off.”
I sighed. “You seem like a lot to handle.”
Seth grinned again. “Would you like to try?”
A bark of laughter escaped me. “I see Soren has taught his Pack well. And thank you, but no. You already know who my mate is. He would not take kindly to this nonsense.”
Seth swept his hand out like he was a game show host. “If you ever find yourself interested in a little nonsense, you know where to find me. In the meantime, please do carry on.”
“Nyria?” I asked.
The fae turned and looked at her companions. Not a single one said no. When she faced me once more, her eyes were suspiciously moist. “We would very much appreciate going home.”
I reached out for Dad’s hand. “Then let’s make it so.” Once our hands were clasped, I spoke. “Hold the image of your home in your mind and don’t let go.”
Dad didn’t do much at all, much of the magic he expended was just to make it look fancy. I was the bridge and the only one who could send everyone home.
Starting with the fae closest to the back, I concentrated, plucking the image from their mind. The bridge power wasn’t something I could explain exactly. I trapped Lugh in another realm and locked him in, but I could also travel back and forth to wherever I wanted—provided the realm existed in the tree’s purview.
A shimmering image appeared in my mind. I focused on it, opened up the bridge power living inside me and flicked my fingers. Several of the fae gasped, but I didn’t stop. I sent each and every fae to the place I plucked from their mind. When Nyria was the only one left standing, I opened my eyes.
“How do I know you haven’t sent them to their deaths?”
Dad snorted. “If you knew my daughter, you’d know she would never break her word.
Seth glanced at me, one eyebrow raised.
“Guess you’ll just have to trust us.”
Nyria didn’t like my answer, but if she wanted to go home, she had no other choice than to trust me. “Ready?” I asked.
She closed her eyes. A second later, she nodded.
When she was gone, I dropped Dad’s hand.
Seth was watching me a little too closely. “Your father had nothing to do with that show. Why are you hiding what you can do?”
My shoulders stiffened. How in the world could he know that? “No idea what you’re talking about.”
Seth tapped the side of his nose. “Shifters have sensitive noses. Some of us can sniff magic out like a bloodhound. Your dad barely used any power.” He took a step closer, intruding into my personal space. Dad flicked out a hand.
A shimmering barrier of light appeared between us. “Keep your distance,” Dad growled.
Seth’s eyes narrowed, not with anger. A more dangerous emotion. Curiosity. I was itching to leave this place. Soren, I could handle. We understood each other in a way. This curious wolf made me nervous.
Seth sensed my wariness and smiled. “Little fairy, you’re more interesting than you seem on the surface, aren’t you?”
I scoffed. “Hardly.”
Dad took a step closer. We joined hands once more.
